Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia retires after 36 years in the NFL

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — After more than three and a half decades in the National Football League, Dante Scarnecchia has decided to retire from coaching, according to a release from the New England Patriots on Tuesday.

Scarnecchia, 71, has been a member of the Patriots organization for 34 of his 36 years in pro football. The offensive line coach has worked with New England since his last retirement, which lasted just two seasons - in 2014 and 2015.

Before that, Scarnecchia had been with New England since 1991. He was also a member of the organization from 1982 through 1988.

His 34 seasons with New England are the most by any coach in team history. He was also the longest-tenured coach in the NFL in 2019, according to the team.

He served as the team’s offensive line coach since 1999 and was also named assistant head coach in 2000. He also had stints as New England’s tight ends coach, special teams coach, special assistant and defensive assistant.

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During his time with New England, Scarnecchia was a member of five Super Bowl-winning teams and coached in 10 of the team’s 11 Super Bowl appearances.

“It was a privilege to coach with Dante for so long,” said head coach Bill Belichick in the release issued by the team. “I knew that long before his initial retirement and throughout a second act of continued excellence. Dante is among the very best assistant coaches ever.”

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